Black Friday Shoppin' tips

Many Will Need This Black Friday Survival Guide

Isn’t it ironic that a holiday devoted to giving thanks for what we have is followed immediately by the biggest shopping day of the year? But it’s hard to deny that Black Friday brings a ton of deals—and in an economy like this, every little savings can add up. At the same time though, you don’t want to give up your sanity. To protect your peace of mind and your budget, here are some of the best Black Friday shopping tips we’ve come across.
Separate needs from wants. Before you even look at a flyer, sit down with a cup of coffee and list what family and friends could really use this Christmas. Buying needs rather than wants saves money, minimizes waste, and (assuming you’re not just giving Jockey three-packs) appears even more thoughtful.
Search for a deal. Once you have your list and the commitment to stick to it, start looking for the sales. You can do it the old-fashioned way with a newspaper and store flyers, or you can visit one of these sites: BlackFriday.info, Black-Friday.net, bfads.net.
Make sure it really is a deal. Just because the store says it’s a “door-buster” doesn’t mean it is. Compare its Black Friday deal with other retailers’ prices. The easiest and most comprehensive way to do this is on comparison-shopping sites such as pricegrabber.com, shopping.yahoo.com, and nextag.com.
Sweeten the deal. Three options here: 1) Check coupon sites such as dealcatcher.com or retailmenot.com; 2) Search for rebates on manufacturer sites, and; 3) Become a new customer (many stores give additional discounts to first-time online buyers or if you sign up for their credit cards).
Buy early. Check the retailer’s website to see if it allows Thursday or even Wednesday purchases at Black Friday prices. Or, if store policy allows, buy the item at regular price early in the week, then return it on Friday for an instant refund of the difference.
Hire a sitter. If there’s no option other than getting in line at the store the night before, hire a neighborhood teen to camp out for you. Even subtracting the sitting fee you’ll pay, you may still come out ahead.
Shop as a team. If you must go into a store, try not to do it alone. Have your hubby stand in line while you get what you need. Or, if your phone isn’t web-enabled, have him man the home computer so he can quickly search and compare unadvertised specials that you call him about.
Try to price-match. If you get shut out of the item you wanted, don’t give up. Take the store’s advertisement to a competitor with a price-match policy.
Buy ’em all gift cards. If this sounds like more hassle than fun, gift cards may be your salvation. We like the ones that can be used anywhere (as opposed to at specific stores). And avoid those that either depreciate over time or carry hidden fees. With a gift card, every day is Black Friday.
Watch out for that shopping cart!

Vocalpoint is brought to you by Tremor, a division of P&G

This should make for a FINE turkey!!!

http://www.vocalpoint.com/friendlyDidYouKnow.html?contentid=500000694&tdestid=6803&tmemberid=29E256F8-DB4B-4C8B-A0E1-066987EE2410

2 days early, and already behind!!! Thaw that Turkey!

No clue that I had already missed my opportunity to thaw my turkey in the refridgerator. I did find some other ways to thaw, that are faster, and hopefully will get that turkey on the table in time.

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/Lets_Talk_Turkey/index.asp


Let me know how it works out for you, and pray for me :)

Homemade (kinda :)) Salsa Dip

2 cans diced tomato (plain- don't get the Mexican or Italian spiced)
3 large green onions-chopped
1-2 jalapenos
garlic salt
blender

Put one can of diced tomato in blender with chopped green onions. Chop 1 jalapeno and place in blender (you might want to even start with 1/2 of one, bc they seem to be pretty hot lately.) put 2ND can of green onion on top. Sprinkle about a tbsp of garlic salt on top, and pulse blend. Try not to blend it too much, bc you loose the chunks.

* The garlic salt and jalapeno are going to be added to your taste, so start with just a little and add as you go. I usually end up with about 1 jalapeno and 2 tbsp of garlic salt.

LOVE IT!!! I am trying bell peppers next. :)

I can't believe he liked it. EVEN THE EDAMAME! TY GOD!

Hands-On Time: 30 minutes

Ready In: 30 minutes

Yield: 6 servings Ingredients
1 pound frozen cheese tortellini

1 cup shelled edamame*

1 cup diced red pepper

1 pound smoked sausage

1/2 cup Italian dressing

Directions
Set 6 quarts of salted water to boil in a large pot.
Meanwhile, chop red pepper and slice the smoked sausage into 1/4 inch-thick rounds.
Stir-fry red pepper and sausage together until heated through -- about 5 minutes.
Add tortellini to boiling water and cook for 5 minutes.
Add edamame to water and boil for another 2 minutes. Drain tortellini and edamame well.
Toss everything together with the Italian dressing and heat through one final time.

*Ingredient Tips

Edamame (ed-ah-MAH-may) are boiled green soybeans commonly served as a mild, crunchy appetizer in Japanese restaurants. They have become more common in Western culture in recent years. Most often sold in the U.S. frozen in shelled or unshelled form, they are packed with vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, calcium, protein and fiber. For this recipe, frozen shelled is best. If you must buy them in the pod, take the prep time of shelling them into account, it can get very tedious.

ACKWARD!!!!????

For the past couple of days my gorgeous hubby and I have been getting up at 5 to do a quiet time together. Frank and I pray together, but not on a planned daily basis. It has always been more of a " will you pray with me?" type thing. It has been great. I feel really connected to him and God together, right at the start of the day.

Funny, because I remember a time when it was really ackward to ask if he would pray with me. Years down the road I wonder why? He is my bestfriend. I keep no secrets from him. He's my biggest fan (along with my mommy of course), and my confidant. So, why would I ever have been uncomfortable with praying to our father together, with him of all people.

New territory I guess, all I know is, fear is not of God; and blessings over flow from my special time with my man.

NO CARVE pumpkin decorating.

I actually found 2 websites that have some GREAT deco ideas.


http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/crafts/no-carve-pumpkin-decorating?src=nl&mag=ghk&list=gga&kw=ist

http://www.redbookmag.com/recipes-home/tips-advice/gilded-gourds


Hopefully these will make my pumpkin last longer, and I can carve it later :)

Yummy mice. These are too cute.!!

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=50362







These mischievous mice will have your kids happily nibbling on a healthy snack in no time.

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
	Fresh strawberries
	Mini chocolate chips
	Black decorators' icing
	Almond slivers
	Toothpick
	Red lace licorice
	Wedge of Cheese (Your choice)

1. For each mouse, slice a small section from the side of a strawberry so it sits flat.
2. Press a mini chocolate chip into the tip for a nose, using a small dab of icing to secure it in place, if needed.
3. Add icing eyes and stick 2 almond slivers into the top of the berry for ears.
4. For a tail, use a toothpick to carve a small hole in the back of the berry and push the end of a piece of licorice lace into the hole. Serve these berry cute treats with small triangles of cheese.

Steve Harvey introduces Jesus

You HAVE to check this out. I really expected Jesus to just walk out. AMAZING job.


http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=905620397b19c9d24978

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour

4 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa

1 egg

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons oil

3 tablespoons chocolate chips(optional)

A small splash of vanilla extract

1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well..Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.EAT !

Carving it out!!!!

Yay!!!! I found Christian themed stencils for pumpkin carving.

http://familycrafts.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&zTi=1&sdn=familycrafts&cdn=parenting&tm=25&gps=78_1594_1003_546&f=00&tt=14&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.pumpkinglow.com/Patterns4.htm

Tylenol Recall

Tylenol is recalling some of the infant and children's medications. Check this site to verify your meds.
http://tylenol.com/generic.jhtml?id=tylenol/news/subpchildinfantnews.inc

Ummmmm.... okay......

So, I decided that I need to follow Mandy's example. I DO NOT have time to blog everyday, but I randomly have things I want to share that I can't give details of when I am on the air. LIKE a recipe or website that I have found. So, I thought this would be a great start to sharing it with you. Hope you enjoy.